Ireland and the United Kingdom opt out of the EU's visa policies and instead operate their own separate visa policies, as do certain overseas territories of EEA member states.

European Union citizens and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nationals are not only visa-exempt but are legally entitled to enter and reside in each other's countries. Their right to freedom of movement in each other's countries can, however, be limited in a reserved number of situations, as prescribed by the European Union Treaties.

If EU/EEA/Swiss nationals are unable to present a valid passport or national identity card at the border, they must nonetheless be afforded every reasonable opportunity to obtain the necessary documents or have them brought to them within a reasonable period of time or corroborate or prove by other means that he/she is covered by the right of free movement.[6][7]

A clickable Euler diagram showing the relationships between various multinational European organisations and agreements.

However, EU member states, EEA member states and Switzerland can refuse entry to any EU, EEA or Swiss citizen on public policy, public security or public health grounds where the person presents a "genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society".[8] If the person has obtained permanent residence in the country where they seek entry (a status which is normally attained after 5 years of residence), the member state can only expel them on serious grounds of public policy or public security. Where the person has resided for 10 years or is a minor, the member state can only expel them on imperative grounds of public security (and, in the case of minors, if expulsion is necessary in the best interests of the child, as provided for in the Convention on the Rights of the Child).[9] Expulsion on public health grounds must relate to diseases with 'epidemic potential' which have occurred less than 3 months from the person's date of arrival in the Member State where they seek entry.[10]

A family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who is in possession of a residence permit indicating their status is exempt from the requirement to hold a visa when entering the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland when they are accompanying their EU/EEA/Swiss family member or are seeking to join them.[11] As from 6 April 2015, the UK recognizes this document.[12]

Non-EU family members who otherwise require a Schengen visa will still need one before they travel to Switzerland even if they possess a UK residence permit that clearly mentions that they are the family member of an EEA citizen.

Other EU members outside Schengen Area but bound by same visa policy and special territories of the EU and Schengen member states. These countries are also legally obliged to join the Area as soon as they meet the criteria.

Members of the EU with an independent visa policy

Visa-free access to the Schengen states for 90 days in any 180-day period, although some Annex II nationals can enjoy longer visa-free access in some circumstances (EC 539/2001 Annex II)

Since 2001, the European Union has issued two lists regarding visas for the Schengen Area: a white list of countries whose nationals do not require visas (Annex II)[13] and a black list of countries whose nationals do require visas (Annex I).[14] The two lists are also adopted by Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania, even though the four countries are not yet part of the Schengen Area.

If EU, EEA and Swiss nationals are unable to present a valid passport or national identity card at the border, they must nonetheless be afforded every reasonable opportunity to obtain the necessary documents or have them brought to them within a reasonable period of time or corroborate or prove by other means that he/she is covered by the right of free movement.[6][7]

Nationals of following countries, which are now part of the European Union or the Schengen Area, have never needed a visa to the Schengen Area: Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom (British citizens, British subjects with right of abode, British overseas territories citizens of Gibraltar)

To be able to enter the Schengen Area/Bulgaria/Croatia/Cyprus/Romania visa waiver, the above Annex II nationals are required to:

have a travel document which is valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure and which has been issued in the previous 10 years [43]

have a machine-readable passport with digital photo or a biometric passport

have sufficient funds for their stay and onward/return journey

justify the purpose and conditions of their stay

not be listed in the Schengen Information System as someone to be refused entry and not be considered as a threat to public policy, internal security, public health or the international relations of any Schengen country.[44]

The above Annex II nationals can also enter Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania without a visa for a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period in each of these countries. The visa-free time restrictions for each of these countries is calculated separately (as well as being separate to the Schengen Area visa-free time restriction).

Although all Annex II nationals can enter Schengen countries, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania visa-free for pleasure or for business, individual countries can decide to impose a visa requirement on those who wish to enter to work (i.e. to carry out a 'paid activity'). The table at the end of the article indicates which individual countries permit Annex II nationals to work during their visa-free stay.

Visa waiver access for Annex II nationals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine applies only to holders of biometric passports. Visa waiver access does not apply to holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate, which issues Serbian passports in Kosovo.

Visa waiver for New Zealand citizens also applies to Cook Islanders, Niueans and Tokelauans as they also use New Zealand passports.

Visa waiver for Taiwan applies only to holders of Taiwanese passports with their personal ID numbers stipulated in their respective passports. Taiwan issues passports without ID numbers to some persons not having the right to reside in Taiwan, including nationals without household registration and certain persons from Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China.[56][57] The visa waivers granted by the European Union, the United Kingdom and Ireland to Taiwan passport holders have not altered the European Union member states' non-recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign country. For this reason, Taiwan is listed in Annex II by the European Commission under the heading "entities and territorial authorities that are not recognised as states by at least one member state", by Bulgaria as "China, Taipei"[58] and by Romania under the heading "Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China".[59][60]

Holders of a visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state or Monaco may also travel to other Schengen states, without an additional visa, for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.[61][62][63]

Holders of a visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania may also travel to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania, without an additional visa, for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period (except nationals of Turkey and Azerbaijan traveling to Cyprus, who still need a Cypriot visa).[15][16][17][18] However, visas and residence permits issued by Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania are not valid for travel to the Schengen Area.

is travelling together with or joining an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen family member.

A family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen satisfying the above conditions can also enter Bulgaria,[65] Croatia, Cyprus[66] and Romania[67] and stay for up to 90 days in each country.

In theory, a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen who does not fulfil the above conditions does not have to apply for a visa in advance, and can instead obtain a visa on arrival at the border checkpoint of a Schengen country, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania by presenting evidence of the familial relationship.[64]

A school pupil who is not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, but who legally resides in the EU, EEA or Switzerland, can enter the Schengen Area, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and/or Romania without a visa for a short stay or transit if:[68]

he or she is travelling as a member of a group of school pupils from a general education school, and

the group is accompanied by a teacher from the school, and

the teacher can present a 'List of Travellers' form identifying the pupils on the trip, the purpose and circumstances of the intended stay/transit.

Even though a school pupil fulfilling all of the above conditions is exempt from having to obtain a visa to enter the Schengen Area, Bulgaria, Cyprus and/or Romania, he or she is nonetheless required to have a valid travel document. However, he or she is exempt from having to carry a valid travel document if:

a photograph of him or her is included in the 'List of Travellers' form, and

the responsible authority in the member state where he/she resides endorses the 'List of Travellers' form to confirm his or her residence status and his or her right to re-entry.

Rules for school pupils resident in Annex II countries and territories

School pupils travelling in the context of a school excursion as members of a group of school pupils accompanied by a teacher from the school in question who reside in an Annex II country/territory, but hold the nationality of an Annex I country/territory, are granted visa-free entry to Cyprus (a national collective visa is required), Germany, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden (under 18), but not other Schengen countries.[69][70]

Note that school pupils (of any nationality and resident in any country) who require a visa for the Schengen Area, Bulgaria, Cyprus and/or Romania and who are visiting for the purpose of study and/or educational training are waived the visa application fee (but are still required to submit the relevant supporting documents).[71]

Currently the local border traffic regulation agreements exist with Belarus (with Latvia since 2011), Moldova (with Romania since 2010), Russia (with Norway since 2012, with Latvia since 2013 and Poland 2012-20161) and Ukraine (with Hungary and Slovakia since 2008, Poland since 2009 and Romania since 2015). Agreement between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is pending ratification but is applied on provisional basis.[72]

Notes

^ Poland has suspended the border traffic agreements with Russia indefinitely from 4 July 2016.[73][74]

Rules for the holders of local border traffic permits

Schengen countries are authorised by virtue of the EU regulation no 1931/2006 to conclude bilateral agreements with neighbouring third countries to introduce a local border traffic permit scheme.[75] Such permits are a type of multiple-entry visa in the form of a passport sticker or a card containing the holder's name and photo, as well as a statement that its holder is not authorised to move outside the border area and that any abuse shall be subject to penalties. The border area may include any administrative district within 30 kilometres from the external border (and, if any district extends beyond that limit, the whole district up to 50 kilometres from the border). The applicant for the permit has to show legitimate reasons to frequently cross an external land border under the local border traffic regime. The validity of the permit can be up to five years.

Holders of local border traffic permits are able to spend up to 3 months every time they enter the border area of the Schengen country which has issued the permit (this time limit is far more generous than the '90 days in a 180-day period' normally granted to third-country nationals visiting the Schengen Area).[76]

A local border traffic permit scheme has been implemented in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia for Ukrainian citizens, is being implemented or negotiated in Poland and Lithuania regarding Belarus and Russia (Kaliningrad area), and has also been implemented in a 30 km border zone between Norway and Russia in 2012. See Schengen Area#Local border traffic at external borders.

There is also a tendency to allow more and more one-year multiple-entry visas to Russians - especially by Finland. There are plans in the EU to allow up to 5 years validity on multiple-entry visas for Russians,[77] partly to relieve the work load at embassies.

Recent EU visa waiver bilateral agreements are exempting holders of non-ordinary passports from a visa requirement. These waivers are applicable to the counter-party, the Schengen countries, Schengen associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and countries that are obliged to implement the Schengen acquis (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania):

Despite the fact that visas are not required for ordinary passport holders, a visa is required for Australian diplomatic and service/official passport holders by Bulgaria and Cyprus, for Israeli diplomatic and service/official passport holders by Cyprus, for Mexican diplomatic and service/official passport holders by Cyprus and Iceland[120] and for the United States diplomatic and service/official passport holders by Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece and Spain.

Schengen visas can be issued by any country in the Schengen area. Travellers must apply to the embassy or consulate of the country which they intend to visit. In cases of travellers visiting multiple countries in the Schengen area, travellers must apply to their main destination's embassy or consulate. [121] If the main destination cannot be determined, the traveller should apply for the visa at the embassy of the Schengen country of first entry.[121][122] Often, external service providers are contracted by certain diplomatic missions to process, collect and return visa applications.

Schengen visa applications may not be submitted more than three months prior to the proposed date of entry into the Schengen area.[123] All countries' embassies may require applicants to provide biometric identifiers (ten fingerprints and a digital photograph) as part of the visa application process to be stored on the Visa Information System (VIS). Biometric identifiers are not collected from children under the age of 12.[124] Travellers must apply in person and are subject to an interview by the consular officers. Providing that the visa application is admissible and there are no issues with the application, a decision must be given within 15 calendar days of the date on which the application was lodged.[125]

Schengen visas are valid for any country in the Schengen Area. Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania also accept Schengen visas, as well as visas issued by each other, for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period (except for nationals of Turkey and Azerbaijan traveling to Cyprus).[15][16][17][18] However, visas issued by Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania are not valid for travel to the Schengen Area.

In exceptional cases, single-entry Schengen visas valid for up to 15 days may be issued on arrival at the border. These visas are reserved for individuals who can prove that they were unable to apply for a visa in advance due to time constraints arising out of 'unforeseeable' and 'imperative' reasons as long as they fulfil the regular criteria for the issuing of a Schengen visa.[126] However, if the individual requesting a Schengen visa at the border falls within a category of people for which it is necessary to consult one or more of the central authorities of other Schengen States, they may only be issued a visa at the border in exceptional cases on humanitarian grounds, on grounds of national interest or on account of international obligations (such as the death or sudden serious illness of a close relative or of another close person).[127] In 2014, over 122,000 Schengen visas were issued to travellers on arrival at the border.[128] People trying this way to travel to the Schengen Area, can get into problems with the airline because of the carrier's responsibility, which penalises airlines if they carry passengers who do not have the correct documentation.

In addition, the following entities are not recognised as sovereign states by any Schengen country, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania. Therefore, passports issued by them are not recognised as valid travel documents by any Schengen country, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania, and visas will not be attached to such passports.[citation needed]

The EU has concluded visa facilitation agreements that allow facilitated procedures for issuing visas for both the EU citizens and citizens of the partner country. The facilitated procedures include faster visa processing times, reduced fee or fee-free visa application processing, reduces list of supporting documents. The agreements are in force with the following countries:[133]

In exceptional cases, member states may issue visas with limited territorial validity (LTV) instead of a Schengen visa. A LTV visa may either specifically name member state(s) for which it is valid or, inversely, specifically name member state(s) for which it is not valid. Holders of LTV visas are only permitted to transit via, travel to, and circulate within the territories of, member states for which it is valid.

According to the Schengen visa code, member states may issue LTV visas:[135]

when a consulate deems it justifiable to overcome the three-month limitation in six months;

or when a member state considers it necessary due to pressing circumstances to derogate from entry conditions as set by Schengen Border code, or to overcome objections of other member states, or in cases of urgency.

Despite the fact that LTV visas may be issued in exceptional cases only, some member state abuse the facility. For instance, the Spanish Embassy in Russia occasionally issues LTV visas to tourists.

However, on 5 April 2010, common visa requirements for airport transit were introduced by the European Union.[84] At present, citizens of the following 12 countries are required to hold an airport transit visa (ATV) when transiting through any airport in the Schengen Area, Bulgaria, Cyprus or Romania, even if they remain airside:

However, citizens of the above 12 countries are exempt from airport transit visas if they:

hold a Schengen visa, a national long-stay visa or a residence permit issued by an EU member state,

hold certain residence permits issued by Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino or the United States guaranteeing the holder's unconditional readmission to that country,

hold a valid visa for an EU member state or for a member of the European Economic Area Agreement, Canada, Japan or the United States of America, or when they return from those countries after having used the visa,

Additionally, individual Schengen countries can impose airport transit visa requirements for nationals of other countries in urgent cases of mass influx of illegal immigrants.[84] Eight countries (Finland,[136] Iceland, Latvia,[137] Poland,[138] Malta, Romania,[18] Slovenia[139] and Sweden)[140] currently do not use this provision and have no additional requirements.[141] As Liechtenstein has indicated that it won't accept flights originating outside the Schengen Area,[142] airport transit visa requirements are not relevant there. The other Schengen countries require airport transit visas for nationals from up to 23 (in the case of France) additional countries (See the table below).[141] Note that visa-free airport transit is not available when travelling with Ryanair, Wizz Air or Easyjet. Their passengers normally need to pick up luggage and check in again if transferring.[143]

Additional nationalities that are subject to the airport transit visa requirement in some Schengen countries

We need to know who is crossing our borders. By November, we will propose an automated system to determine who will be allowed to travel to Europe. This way we will know who is travelling to Europe before they even get here. — Jean-Claude Juncker, 2016: State of the Union Address

In November 2016, the European Commission proposed a system for an electronic authorisation of visa-exempt third country nationals called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System).[153] Under the proposal the ETIAS will be managed by the European Border and Coast Guard in cooperation with national authorities. Foreign visitors will be required to submit personal data in advance and pay a processing fee (fee is waived for children). Submitted applications will be processed automatically by checking against databases and watch lists and in case no issues appear the authorisation should be issued immediately. The authorisation request may be processed for up 72 hours in which case the applicant must be notified if the authorisation request was issued or refused or if additional information is required. In case the authorisation is refused the applicant will have the right of appeal in accordance with national law of the member state. The authorisation will be valid for five years. A travel authorisation with limited territorial validity may be issued only exceptionally. It is imagined as a system similar to the ESTA system of the United States and the eTA system of Canada. It is expected to enter into operation on 1 January 2020.[154] The cost for developing ETIAS is estimated at EUR 212,1 million.[154][155]

nationals of a third country enjoying the right to free movement holding a valid residence card

recognised refugees or stateless person residing in one of the member states and holding a travel document issued there

visits to the United Kingdom (also pre-Brexit) or Ireland, but will apply to visits to Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania.[156]

Asides from visa-exempt third country nationals the ETIAS requirements will also apply to

family members of EU citizens not holding a valid residence card

nationals of a third country enjoying the right to free movement not holding a valid residence card

In addition, the EU citizens or citizens of states party to the Schengen agreement who have multiple nationalities will be obliged to use a passport issued by an EU Member State or state party to the Schengen agreement in order to enter the Schengen area.

The fee is €5; non-EU visitors to the Schengen area will have to provide various details.[153], this information is cross-referenced against various EU databases[155]

In 2013, the EU also adopted a proposal for establishment of an Entry/Exit System that would make it possible to identify overstayers.[157] The system will register the name, type of travel document and biometrics and the date and place of entry and exit including refusals of entry.

Changes to the entries on Annex I (list of visa nationals) and Annex II (list of visa-exempt nationals) are regularly considered by the Council of the European Union based on advice from the individual member states. The Council then proposes draft legislation which has to be approved by the European Parliament.

On 24 January 2011, Moldova officially received an action plan on visa liberalization from the EU's Internal Affairs Commissioner.[160] In October 2013, the Commission proposed that visa requirements for short term visits be abolished for Moldovan citizens holding biometric passports.[161][162] On 27 February 2014, the European Parliament approved visa-free travel for Moldovan citizens.[163] The Council gave their consent on 3 April, allowing visa-free travel from 28 April 2014.[164]

On 5 August 2015, the European Commission submitted a recommendation authorising the opening of negotiations on a short-stay visa waiver agreement with China for holders of diplomatic passports.[176] The agreement was subsequently signed by both parties on 29 February 2016 and went into effect on 2 March 2016.[177] The agreement, however, does not apply to UK and Ireland as separate visa-waiver agreements were already in force with these two countries.[178]

An action plan on visa liberalisation with Georgia was launched on 25 February 2013.[179] In December 2015, the European Commission concluded that Georgia[180] met the criteria for visa liberalization. In March 2016, a legislative proposal was presented by the Commission to amend the regulation on visa requirements to include Georgia.[181] The visa waiver for Georgia took effect on 28 March 2017.

On 22 November 2010, the European Council and Ukraine announced "an action plan for Ukraine toward the establishment of a visa-free regime for short-stay travel".[182] In December 2015, the Commission concluded that Ukraine[183] met the criteria for visa liberalization. The visa waiver for Ukraine took effect on 11 June 2017.

On 7 November 2012, the European Commission announced a proposal to introduce visa-free travel for citizens from 16 island nations, and the European Parliament amended the list to include three other countries in February 2014.[165][166][167] Each of the 19 countries were required to conclude a bilateral visa waiver agreement with the European Union.[168] As of October 2016, Nauru is the only of the 19 countries that has not signed such agreement.

On 14 June 2012, Kosovo received a roadmap for visa liberalisation with the EU.[184] In December 2015, the European Commission has adopted the third, and final, report on Kosovo’s progress in fulfilling the requirements of its visa liberalisation roadmap which lists eight outstanding requirements that remain.[185][186][187]

In December 2013, after signing a readmission agreement, the EU started a visa dialogue with Turkey including a "Roadmap towards the visa-free regime".[188] The EU announced readiness to accelerate the implementation of the visa liberalisation roadmap if Turkey stems the influx of refugees and migrants to Europe.[189]

In the first half of 2016, legislative proposals were presented by the Commission to amend the regulation on visa requirements to include Kosovo[190] and Turkey[191] in the list of countries whose nationals are visa-exempt for short stays in the Schengen Area.

In January 2018 the Government of Spain submitted a request for visa exemption for citizens of Ecuador.[192]

During the sidelines of the EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on 5 November 2015, the European Commission reportedly included Indonesia in a list of countries proposed for review by the European Council. Indonesia's proposal will be submitted to the council in early 2016. The European Council then ask three main entities (Frontex, Europol and the EASO) to study and review Indonesia's eligibility. If the study results are positive, then the Council and the European Commission will propose new regulations for Indonesia's Schengen visa waiver.[201][202][203]

On 25 February 2016, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Arrmanatha Nassir, claimed that Indonesia has already received a green light from the EU Commission and almost two-third of Schengen countries to get the visa-waiver status. However, the implementation will not happen in the near future, because the visa-waiver procedure in the EU is quite complex and there are new migration issues in the region.[204] Meanwhile, Patrick Herman, ambassador of Belgium to Indonesia, is confident that the visa waiver agreement will be reached as soon as possible as all stakeholders are working to finalize the necessary agreements.[205]

Russia

On 15 December 2011, in a statement given after an EU-Russia summit, the President of the European Commission confirmed the launch of "Common Steps towards visa-free travel" with Russia.[206]In 2013, Russia and the European Union have agreed on the issue of biometric service passports.[207] The EU suspended talks in March 2014, as a result of the situation in Ukraine.[208]

The European Commission has a duty to monitor the continuous fulfillment of visa liberalization requirements by third countries and to report on those matters. In its first report from December 2017 the European Commission made an assessment on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine. The Commission found that visa liberalization requirements for the concerned countries continue to be fulfilled. The European Commission found that irregular migration persists in the case of Albania and that immediate action must be taken on prevention and fight against corruption and money laundering in Moldova and on safeguarding anti-corruption measures in Ukraine.[209]

As per Regulation No 539/2001 (amended by Regulation No 1289/2013)[210] reciprocity is required from all Annex II countries and territories. That means that these countries must offer visa-free access for 90 days to all EU citizens (except citizens of Ireland and the United Kingdom) and to the citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. When this is not the case, the affected EU or Schengen member state is expected to notify the European Commission. Starting six months after the notification, the Commission may adopt an implementing act to suspend the visa-free regime for certain categories of nationals of the third country concerned, for a period of up to six months, with a possible prolongation by further periods of up to six months. If the Commission decides not to adopt such an act, it has to present a report explaining the reasons why it did not propose the measure. If after two years from the notification the third country is still requiring visas from citizens of one or more Member States, the Commission shall adopt a delegated act to re-impose the visa obligation on all citizens of the third country, for a period of 12 months. Either the European Parliament or the Council could oppose the entry into force of the delegated acts.[211] All of the states that implement the common visa rules – including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania – may notify the European Commission about non-compliant third states.[212]

According to a report from April 2015,[215] the Commission dismissed notifications by both Bulgaria and Romania of a general visa requirement by Australia.[216] It concluded that the Australian electronic visa 'manual processing' treatment should not be considered as equivalent to the Schengen visa application procedures and consequently will not be covered by the reciprocity mechanism.[215] In its previous report,[217] the Commission also committed to assessing certain provisions of the US electronic visa system — such as the application fee.

The current status as of November 2016, based on the Commissions communications from April and July 2016:[212][218]

Japan: Full reciprocity is ensured until 31 December 2018, by granting Romanian citizens, including holders of temporary passports, a temporary visa waiver.

United States: Bulgarian, Croatian, Cypriot, Polish and Romanian citizens are still required to apply for a visa to enter the US. In November 2014, the Bulgarian government announced that it will not ratify the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership unless the United States lifted visa requirements for its citizens.[219] Since the United States failed to lift the requirements, on 3 March 2017 the European Parliament voted in favor of a non-binding resolution calling on the European Commission to revoke the visa-free travel for US citizens to the Schengen Area.[220]

For stays in the Schengen Area as a whole which exceed 90 days, as a general rule, a third country national (i.e. a non-EU, EEA or Swiss national) will need to hold either a long-stay visa for a period of no longer than a year or a residence permit for longer periods. Similarly, a third-country national who wishes to stay for more than 90 days in Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania will be required to hold a long-stay visa or a residence permit.

Although long-stay visas issued by Schengen countries, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania have the same uniform design, as a national visa, in general, the procedures and conditions for issue are determined by each individual country. Therefore, for example, whilst some Schengen countries (such as France) require applications for long-stay visas to be made in the applicant's home country, other Schengen countries permit applicants to lodge their applications after arrival. Some countries, such as Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Switzerland offer a hybrid regime, whereby third-country nationals are required to apply for long-stay visas in their home country, with the exception of a few nationalities who are permitted to apply for a residence permit directly upon arrival without having first to obtain a long-stay visa. For example, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Switzerland allow New Zealand citizens to apply for a residence permit upon arrival without having to apply for a long-stay visa in advance, but not South African citizens.[222][223][224][225]

However, in some situations, the procedures and conditions for the issue of long-stay visas have been harmonised among all Schengen member states, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania. For example, Council Directive 2004/114 has harmonised the conditions of admission of third country nationals wishing to study in a Schengen member state, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania.[226] Consequently, following the deadline for the implementation of the Directive (i.e. 12 January 2007), all Schengen member states (as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus or Romania) are obliged to apply the same criteria in dealing with applications from third country nationals who wish to be admitted to their territory in order to study (namely that the applicant must have a valid travel document covering the duration of the stay, parental authorisation (if a minor), sickness insurance, not be regarded as a threat to public policy, security or health, and payment of the relevant fee).[227]

Long-stay visas issued by a Schengen country entitle the holder to enter the Schengen Area and remain in the territory of the issuing state for a period longer than 90 days, but no more than one year. If a Schengen state wishes to allow the holder of a long-stay visa remain there for longer than a year, the state must issue him or her with a residence permit.

The holder of a long-stay visa or a residence permit issued by a Schengen country is entitled to move freely within the other states which comprise the Schengen Area for a period of up to 90 days in any 180 days.[228] Third-country nationals who are long-term residents in a Schengen state may also acquire the right to move to and settle in another Schengen state without losing their legal status and social benefits.[229]

In addition to general requirements, EU member states also set entry conditions for foreign nationals of countries outside the EEA and Switzerland called the "reference amounts required for the crossing of the external border fixed by national authorities" regarding means of subsistence during their stay.[232][233]

Countries applying to join the European Union are obliged to adopt the EU's visa policy no later than three months before they formally join the Union.[247] Schengen countries give visa-free access to nationals of all European Union candidate and applicant states except Turkey.[248] Candidate states Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia maintain similar visa policies to the Schengen Area with some notable exceptions regarding countries that were added to the Annex II more recently and additional nationalities not listed in Schengen Annex II, while Turkey still requires visas even from citizens of some of the Schengen member states. Bosnia and Herzegovina as an applicant country also has its visa policy mostly aligned with the Schengen Area.

Below is a table of Schengen countries which permit nationals of Annex II countries and territories to enter the country on a 90-day visa-free period of stay with the intention of working in the country during that period.[69] Nonetheless, some Schengen countries which permit certain Annex II nationals to work during their visa-free stay may still require them to obtain a work permit (either in advance or on arrival).

Working holiday visa (a type of visa issued by many EU member states to young people from foreign countries to undertake employment (and sometimes study) for the purpose of supplementing their travel funds)

^Black list of passport types where a visa is required for entry, corresponding to Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001.[83]

^Transit list of passport types where a visa is required not only for entry, but also for airport transit, corresponding to Annex IV of Council regulation No. 810/2009.[84]

^Fantasy passports are either "Passports" issued by minorities, sects and population groups; or identity documents, etc., issued by private organisations and individuals. Camouflage passports are passports issued in the name of former States no longer in existence.[85]

^An airport transit visa is only required for Russians when transiting through a French airport having arrived from an airport in Armenia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey, or Ukraine.

^The visa waivers granted by the European Union, the United Kingdom and Ireland to Taiwan passport holders have not altered the European Union member states' non-recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign country. For this reason, Taiwan is listed in Annex II by the European Commission under the heading "entities and territorial authorities that are not recognised as states by at least one member state", by Bulgaria as "China, Taipei" (mfa.bg) and by Romania under the heading "Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China"(mae.ro).

^The entry Mariana Islands has been removed from the "visa required" list on 11 January 2011. As there is no Northern Mariana Islands citizenship in contrast to the United States citizenship, this entry produced no effects.

^ abcArticle 1(5)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 610/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement, Council Regulations (EC) No 1683/95 and (EC) No 539/2001 and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 182, 29 June 2013, p. 1. Prior to Regulation (EU) No 610/2013, in response to an Ad-hoc Query by the European Migration Network), the national agencies responsible for border control in 9 Member States confirmed that Annex II nationals holding residence permits or long-stay visas would be entitled to stay for a further period of three months without a visa upon the expiration of the residence permit/long-stay visa. However, following the entry in force of Article 1(5)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 610/2013 on 18 October 2013, all Annex II nationals holding residence permits or long-stay visas issued by a Schengen member state are entitled automatically to stay for a further period of three months without a visa upon the expiration of the residence permit/long-stay visa (the conditions of a visa-free stay would apply to this period of three months after the expiration of the residence permit/long-stay visa, rather than the conditions of stay associated with the residence permit/long-stay visa).

^Note that, additionally, the old method of calculating the length of the visa-free stay (i.e. 3 months within 6 months instead of 90 days in any 180-day period) still applies to citizens of Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay in the Czech Republic.

^Regulation (EU) No 1289/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (OJ L 347, 20/12/2013, p. 74–80).

^The details of the procedure are set out in Articles 1(4) of Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 as amended by Regulation (EU) No 1289/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013(OJ L 347, 20/12/2013, p. 74–80).

^Council Directive 2004/114/EC of 13 December 2004 on the conditions of admission of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies, pupil exchange, unremunerated training or voluntary service (L 375/12, 23 December 2004)

^Regulation (EU) No 265/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 March 2010 amending the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement and Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 as regards movement of persons with a long-stay visa (OJ L 85, 31 March 2010, p. 1)

^Regulation of the Minister for Internal Affairs and Administration of 22 December 2008 on the means of subsistence that an alien entering the territory of the Republic of Poland should possess and on the documentation confirming the ability to access such means (Journal of Laws 2008, No 235, item 1611)

^Article 4 of the Act No 48/2002 Coll. on Stay of Aliens and on amendment of certain acts as amended

^Instructions on refusing entry to aliens, conditions for issuing visas at border crossings, conditions for issuing visas for humanitarian reasons and procedure for revoking visas (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 2/01)